Fountain pen



A. GORDON FOUNTAIN PEN Feb. 23, 1954 Filed May 5, 1950 ZPAMNIAEE MN NN Nwkm @ww Iliff!!! sini - A INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 23,n 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to pens and more particularly to adjustable point writing pen construction.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide novel pen construction in which the width of the written line, the flexibility of the pen point and the ink ow may be adjustably controlled.

Another object herein lies in the provision of structure of the class described having an ink reservoir and simple and effective means for lling the reservoir.

A further object herein is the provision of adjustable point, fountain pen structure which is simple and efcient affording a strong device so as to require a minimum of servicing.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will be more fully apparent during the course of the following disclosure,` and be pointed out in the appended drawings.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in this specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several vie-ws.

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the invention with the point element in a retracted position thereof.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to Figure l but showing the pen point element in an advanced position thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on the plane 3--3 on Figure 2.

Figure i is a fragmentary perspective View of a portion of the structurel of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the compression means.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the pen point element, the valve feed element and the hood element.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary plan view of the front end of the pen as set for a Wide line (l--l on Figure l) Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view corresponding to Figure 7 of the pen as set for a narrow line (fi-3 on Figure 2). I

Figure 9 is a sectional view as seen from th plane 9--9 on Figure 2.

Figure 10 is a sectional view on the plane ICI-I0 on Figure 7.

In accordance with the invention the pen generally indicated by reference character I0 comprises generally: a rst or inner barre1 element I2; a second or outer barrel element I4; a casing element I6; a union element; a reservoir or sac an adjuster element 22; a pen point ele- 2 ment 24; a valve element 26, and a hood element 28.

The rst or inner barrel element is prefera-v bly tubular in shape, thin and strong. I have found metal tubing suitable, and it is provided in the upper portion with an elongated opening 3l at the ends of which is a pair of notch seats 32 and 33 (Figure 5), in the lower portion with an elongated slot 34; and at the rear end 33 with an internal annular flange 3l.

The union element is of substantially standard type construction known in the pen art and has a generally cylindrical body 43, an ink channel element 4I, an irregularly shaped external annular flange '32, a reduced portion 43 (upon which the sac 23 is hermetically attached), and a pen point element supporting platform 44. As shown in the drawing, the union element is cornposed of two parts, the cylindrical body and the ink channel element 4I having the pen point element supporting platform 44 and rearwardly thereof the groove or channel 45.

'I'he forward end of the inner barrel element is mounted upon the ange 42 preferably as a force frictional t and the forward end I3 of the inner barrel element I2 secures the rear end 46 of the pen point element 24 upon the union element I8 by compressing the rear end 41 of the valve element 23 thereagainst. Surrounding the forward end of the inner barre1 element I2 is a coupling element I5 which has at its rear end 48 internal threads which are engaged by corresponding threads on the front end 49 of the outer barrel element i4.

'I'he second or outer barrel element I4 is of generally tubular shape and has an effective internal diameter or cross sectional area slightly greater than the external diameter or cross sectional area of the inner barrel element I2 so that the barrel element I2 may be slidable longitudinally therein. The rear end 50 of the outer barrelv element I4 is internally threaded and is threadedly engaged by the adjuster element 22. The forward end 5I of the adjuster element 22 is u provided with an annular groove 52 within which the flange 37 is slidably engaged. Rotation of the adjuster element 22 therefore affects axial displacement of the first and second barrel elements with respect to each other. The adjuster element 22 has a peripheral flange 53 which is a sliding nt within the casing element I6.

The bottom wall portion 54 is provided with -a pair of spaced and parallel slots 55 -and l5t forming a web 5l which is deformed up into the slot 34 to permit longitudinal movement of the barrel element l2 and to prevent rotation thereof with respect to barrel element I4. The upper wall portion 58 of the outer barrel element I4 is provided with a plurality of openings S through which the fingers of the user may be inserted to engage the compressor 60. The compressor te) is preferably curved so that it substantially fills the opening 3| and has a pair of projections 6I and 62 which when disposed in the seats 32 and 33 provide for pivotal movement about an axis extending through said seats.

The casing element l5 may be cylindrical and internally threaded at the forward end 63 to engage the front end 49 of the outer barrel 'element I4. rPhe rear end 64 of the casing element l5 is internally threaded to receive the `rear cap 65 which covers the handle por-tion'of the adjuster element 22.

The pen point element 24 may be generaliy of standard construction 'with the exception that the nib lmembers B and G1 Aare lnormally spaced from each other a substantial distance by la capillary slit '68, said slit extending a greater distance than the normal distance toward the rear fend 46. As seen in Figure 6 the inner end t9 of the slit 68 extends a substantial distance 'inwardly beyond the ink receiving indentations TG and 1I. The indentations 10 and 1l are elongated Iso that when the n'ibs '66 and '61 are forced together an elongated -opening for the passage of ink `is provided. The outer 'edges fof the nib members 'E6 and 61 are curved to provide vcam surfaces 12 and 13.

The valve element 26 includes la mounting member 1-'4 which when 'the pen IG is assembled surrounds the rear end l"46 and embraces the union element. lThe forward portion of the valve element '-26 includes a valve plate 21 which is flexible and resilient and which is arcuately upwardly vcurved to present a concavity at the un- -der sur-face 21a-thereof superposing the slit 68 and the indentations 10 and 1I. The downwardly curved tip A1:5 is adapted to res't upon the forward upper surfaces of the nib members -66 and 61.

'The hoodelement 28 'may have Aa "frusto-'conical shape and is secured upon the Vfront end S49 fof the A'outer barrel element I4, veither bythe threads as shown for this may be a force fit. The hood element A28 'has ya pair -'of 'oppositely 'disposed 4dow'nwardly projecting 'cam followers 18 and 19 which are adapted 'to coact with the cam surfaces 12 and '13 as will more fully appear. The `inner surface 8u of the upper portion E8l o'f the hood element 28 forms `a cam which coacts with the convex `upper surface 'of the valve 'plate 21.

Operation The pen point element 24 normally gets ink Vfrom the sac through 'the groove or 'channel 45. Assuming the pen l0 to 'be set to write va 'fine 'li-ne, the pen point element is thus advanced -so that Ethe cam followers 1-8 fand 19 on lthe hood element 28 squeeze the pen slit "68 practically closed. Ink consumption is relatively low. 'The space "-Iyi-ng above the pen point element and below the valve *plate 21 is relatively "shallow because 'the inner surface of fthe hood has pressed the valve plate '221 against 'the '-top fof the pen point element; then the Icapillary attraction -is greater than the force of gravity and ink -flow is only enough to .replenish what has "been consumed by writing Vor evaporation from the exposed point. -Now if itfis -desired ft'o' :change to vla broad line, the pen'point-element 24 is retracted by turning vthe lelement 22; and the slit widens .by

springing open. If writing is immediately commenced the demand for ink volume is instantly relatively much greater. While the widened slit 68 of the pen point element 24 can carry more ink an additional path for ink is provided by the increased space between the under surface of the valve plate 21 which acts as an ink regulator and the upper surface of the pen point element 24. Even if the slit 68 of the pen point element 24 gets too wide so k:that capillarity is broken, then the valve plate 21 forms a channel to assure ample ink delivery for application to the surface being written upon.

The movement of the pen point nib members te and 61 and the movement of the valve plate 21 are slightly exaggerated in the drawings for purposes for fclarity and the spaces between the parts carrying ink in order to maintain proper Vcapillary action Will be affected by the viscosity of the ink |00.

lOperation of the present vdevice is therefore a simple and .convenient matter. When it is desired to replenish the sac 2|] the .casing IS is removed at .the threads at the front indicated by lreference character 49. This exposes the openings 5S .where digital `pressure may actuate the Icompressor to produce suction in .the sac 2D. After filling the casing is replaced. When itis desired rto change the width of the line drawn by the lpen point element, the adjuster element 22 is rotated, tto vretract the pen point element 21 when a wider line and more 'flexible `action is desired or yrotated in athe opposite ldirection to move the cam surfaces 12 vand 1.3 :forward so that the followers 18 :and 19 close the slit as seen Figure 8. Intermediate positions 'may be used, the parts being held by friction. 'The valve element it moves with the pen point element :and is v acted upon yby the cam surface on the hood element.

I wish it to be understood that I do -not desire to be limited to the exact Idetails shown and `described in this specification, for obvious mod-ifications will Occur to a person Askilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

I claim:

1. Fountain pen `construction comprising: 'a pen point element, a hood element, and a resili'ent `valve element lsaid pen `point element hav- Iing an `opening yand -an adjustable slit communieating with said opening, to form pen poi-nt nib members; said valve element 'being positioned to overlie said opening in said pen point element; said hood element at -least partially overlying said pen point Jelement and valve element, andv having a cam surface engageable with said valve element; said hood 'element also having ya pair of `do-wnwardl-y rextending cam elements engageabl'e with the outer ledges "of said nib members whereby relative movement between sa-id pen point and valve element, Iand said hood element, iin `one direction simultaneously cams Vthe nib members closer together and cams said valve velement upon said open-ing in said pen p-oint element; and in 'an 'opposed direction permits 'the nib members to spring fur-ther apart, fand 'the lvalve :element to spring .to a :position above :and

spaced from said opening `in saidipen point relement.

2. Fountain pen construction icomprisi-ng: a .pen xpoint zeleni'ent, .a hood element, :anda resilient valve ielementz; :said pen point "element fha-ving :an opening :and an adustable `slit communicatingwlith .said aop'ening, to form `:pen point nib :members: fsad valve element being positioned ito -overle 1said :opening :in :said pen point element;

said hood element at least partially overlying said pen point element and valve element, and having a forwardly and downwardly sloping surface engageable with said valve element; said hood element also having a pair f downwardly extending cam elements engageable with the outer edges of said nib members whereby relative movement between said pen point and Valve element, and said hood element, in one direction simultaneously cams the nib members closer together and cams said valve element upon said opening in said pen point element; and in an opposed direction permits the nib members to spring further apart, and the valve element to spring to a position above and spaced from said opening in said pen point element.

ANTHONY GORDON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Number Name Date Higgins Janl 30, 1883 Veit Jan. 7, 1896 Ferris Sept. 19, 1905 Ochoa July 3, 1906 Wurdemann Mar. 10, 1908 Lloyd July 20, 1909 Levy May 9, 1911 Kaye Mar. 26, 1929 Wuestman Oct. 17, 1933 Weigel Dec. 15, 1942 Nichol Dec. '7, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Apr. 18, 1918 France Nov. 19, 1942 

